ICE consists of three directorates to accomplish the agency’s mission, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Management and Administration (M&A).

ICE executes its mission through the enforcement of more than 400 federal statutes, and focuses on smart immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism and combating the illegal movement of people and trade. (read more)

Learn more about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including facts about investigations, immigration enforcement and removal operations, and management and administration information. (read more)

To ensure openness and transparency and to better serve those seeking more information about ICE and its operations, the agency centralized processing of all ICE-related Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in a single office.

Jefferson County Justice Center

If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (618) 244-8015 24 hours a day. When you call, please have the individual's biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.

Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (618) 244-8015 and leave the detainee's full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.

Parking: Parking is available directly across from the main entrance of the facility. The parking lot location is located at the corner of 9th Street and Casey Street.

Accessibility for Individuals with Special Needs: The facility is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Immigration Court

For information about a matter before the immigration court, you may call 1-800-898-7180 to speak with them directly. Applications for relief from removal and other applications requested by the immigration judge must be filed directly with the immigration court.

Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

For information about a matter before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), you may call (703) 605-1007 where you can obtain automated information or speak with a live representative during office hours.

To post a Departure or Delivery Bond

These bonds are posted when a person has been placed into removal proceedings while in the United States. The person supplying the bond money must show proof of identity and lawful immigration status. This person (the obligor) is responsible for ensuring that the alien presents himself before an officer or agent of this agency whenever a request is made. For bond information, please call (312) 347-2400 and ask to speak to the Deportation Officer handling the case. You must have the last name of the detainee and alien registration number before calling.

To post an immigration bond for an alien being detained by ICE, you must post the bond at 101 W Congress Parkway Suite 4000, Chicago, IL 60605, Mondays through Fridays (except public holidays) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Acceptable bond forms of payment are Cashier's Check from a bank or Postal Money Order. These must be made payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”.

For further questions about bonds, please contact the Debt Management Center:

Friends and Family Visits

ICE detainees are allowed one (1) hour of visitation per week and can be divided into two (2) 30-minute visits. If the family or friend traveled a considerable distance, it is taken into consideration and will be allowed a visit with the detainee for longer).

Sunday – Saturday (unless an emergency arises)

8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

To ensure adequate time to process visitors through security, all visitors must arrive 45 minutes prior to the scheduled visit time. There is no designated arrival time for visitors. Visitors cannot pre-schedule a visit and must arrive on a first come, first serve basis. Visitors that arrive within the scheduled time frame are not turned away.

Visitors must present a valid verifiable government-issued identification card to enter the facility.

Visits shall not exceed 1 hour. Visits may be extended for those who have traveled further distances, but shall not exceed 2 hours per visit.

Minors who are visiting the facility must be accompanied by an adult guardian (18 years or older). Minors must not be left unaccompanied in the waiting room, visiting room or any other area.

Attorney Visits

Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours: 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee's responsibility to contact them for an appointment.

Consular Visits

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer in charge of the facility can be reached at (312) 347-2004.

Clergy Visits

Clergy may visit detainees at any time, but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain's Office at (618) 244-8015. Detainees are to submit a county request form to make arrangements to speak with clergy. Detainees may request a form by pressing the speaker located inside their housing unit and asking the control officer, or by asking an officer who has visited their housing unit.

Visiting Restrictions

All family or other social visits are non-contact.

No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.

If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.

All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.

Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.

Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.

Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)

All individuals requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility

Letters sent to detainees must include the last four digits of the detainee’s A-number (Alien Number), plus the sender's name and address. To enhance the safety of the facility, all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. The mail is not read upon opening, only inspected by the delivering officer. Detainees may send mail from the facility.Â Detainees may only seal their outgoing legal mail in provided receptacles.Â All incoming mail will be delivered to the detainee, and outgoing mail will be routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff. A mail pick-up and delivery schedule is posted in all housing units.

Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for use. Generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense. Indigent detainees (those who have no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) will be provided postage allowance at government expense.

When detainees depart the facility or are transferred to another facility, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. General correspondence will be endorsed "Return to Sender" and returned to the post office.

If detainees receive funds in the mail, they will be taken to the processing area for the money to be placed into their account. The processing officer will provide a receipt for all funds received. Detainees are cautioned not to have cash sent to them in the mail.

A detainee may receive items that are determined to be of necessity for the sole purpose of travel or release from agency custody with approval of the ICE Deportation Officer. Before sending packages to detainees, contact the Supervisory Immigration Enforcement Agent at:

Note that detainees being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not have such baggage, such luggage can be sent/delivered after receiving approval from Supervisory Deportation Officer. Please be advised that for security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) will be accepted.

The Facility has a responsibility to protect the privacy and other rights of detainees and members of the staff. Therefore, interviews will be regulated to ensure the orderly and safe operation of the Facility. Ordinarily, live television or radio interviews will not be permitted in the facility. Press should contact Assistant Field Office Director James K. Bond at (312) 347-2400 for further information.

Personal Interviews

A news media representative who desires to conduct an interview with a detainee must apply in writing to the Chicago Field Office, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, indicating familiarity with and agreement to comply with the rules and regulations of the facility as provided to that person by staff.

Detainee Consent

A detainee has the right not to be interviewed, photographed, or recorded by the media. Before interviewing, photographing, or recording the voice of a detainee, a visiting representative of the media must obtain written permission from that individual.

All FOIA and Privacy Act requests must be submitted on form G-639 (Freedom of Information / Privacy Act Request) or in letter format. All requests must contain the original, notarized signature of the subject in question. Please complete the form G-639 thoroughly and if writing a letter, be sure to include the full name, any other names used, date of birth, place of birth, A-number of the alien you are seeking information about, as well as your full name, address, and telephone number, so that we may contact you if we have any questions.

We strive to provide quality service to people in our custody, their family, friends, and to their official representatives. If you believe that we have not lived up to this commitment, we would like to know. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know that as well.To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to: